We take a look at some highlights from Prime Minister Stephen Harper’s speech Monday in the Knesset.
1. The heckling: “Most disgracefully of all, some openly call Israel an apartheid state.”
As Harper spoke about a “new strain” of anti-Semitism in which others blame Israel for the problems of the Middle East, two Arab-Israeli members of Parliament heckled the prime minister and stormed out of the Knesset. Their outburst was followed by a standing ovation from the majority who remained.
Video: Harper heckled during speech before Israeli Knesset
2. BFFs: “Canada and Israel are the greatest of friends, and the most natural of allies.”
The love-fest between Harper and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued as Harper reiterated his allegiance to the Jewish state.
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3. On morals: “Canada supports Israel because it is right to do so.”
Harper voiced his support for Israel as a moral one, something he described as particularly Canadian. “This is a very Canadian trait, to do something for no reason other than it is right. Even when no immediate reward for, or threat to, ourselves is evident,” he said.
Read more: Full text of Harper’s speech
4. On Palestine: “I believe that a Palestinian state will come.”
Harper suggested it is up to Palestianians to choose “a viable, democratic, Palestinian state” committed to living peacefully alongside Israel. “When Palestinians make peace with Israel, Israel will not be the last country to welcome a Palestinian state as a new member of the United Nations, it will be the first,” Harper said
5. On Iran: “Canada will be a strong voice for renewed sanctions.”
Canada will continue to take a hard stance against Iran to prevent it from manufacturing nuclear weapons, Harper told Israel’s Parliament. But he said Canada’s sanctions will remain in place until Iran proves its merits – through actions and not words.
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